Our Mission

To offer the young people of Bureau County, grades 6-12, a sense of purpose and acceptance by providing an inclusive social atmosphere of companionship and encouraging conversation. We want to cultivate and nurture the full potential of our younger generations through education, mentorship, and support​.

History

Second Story has been serving youth in Bureau County since 2009. The organization was founded by Jeff and Dana VanAutreve after their community began to see a rise in the number of teen suicides. The small-town of Princeton, Illinois had limited resources to address the complexity and number of issues at-risk youth were facing. The community also lacked a positive, safe place for teens to gather outside of school, leaving a gap for youth to engage in high risk behaviors. In response, Jeff and Dana turned the second story of their flooring shop into a space where teens could hang out and named it Second Story-based not only on the location, but on the idea that everyone has a second story and chance to rewrite the narrative to their own future. The results were significant – they began to see a positive impact in their community and in the lives of the hundreds of teens they began to serve in their program.

In 2014, Second Story Teen Center became an incorporated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Today, the organization operates as a teen drop-in center two nights per week. The Center provides after-school programs and distributes basic-needs items to 50-150 youth per night- 8,000 visits annually.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

​​Second Story Teen Center offers free after-school programs twice per week serving​50-100 children each night- an estimated 8,000 teens annually. The program includes a certified kitchen where all participants receive a balanced and nutritious meal. Youth socialize and engage in open activities with their peers under the supervision of trained volunteers. Concerts are held one night per month in partnership with local bands. Thursday nights consist of 30 minutes of structured group time has included:

Studying/ Tutoring

Arts and Crafts

Knitting/ crocheting / sewing

Group games and activies

Cooking Lessons

Life Skills Classes

Julia Platz has been a school educator for over 20 years and is a longtime volunteer with a Second Story. Julia has observed the ever-growing needs of her students over the years. “I have known many students that I feared were not fed dinner each night, had no one to turn to when troubled, had nothing to look forward to and most importantly felt generally alone with no sense of belonging; Second Story gives them all of these things and more. Activities are centered on building up teen’s self esteem and meeting their social, emotional and physical needs not to mention having just plain fun with their peers in a safe, secure environment. Second Story is a home away from home.” -Julia Platz, Bureau Valley South 6-8 Administrator and Second Story Teen Center Volunteer

THE PANTRY​

In October 2017, Second Story Teen Center opened a pantry in response to the number of low-income youth that came through their doors and whose families were struggling to make ends meet. The pantry relies solely on in-kind donations and provides free nonperishable food items, hygiene products, outdoor clothing, and other basic-needs to youth in the program. Since opening the pantry, the number of goods distributed has served as measurement to how many teens are lacking basic needs, while at the same time has shown to help alleviate those socioeconomic barriers that has been preventing teens from meeting their full potential.

“I love Second Story- when I’m [there] I feel safe and loved. I appreciate the work the adults do for us. And the kids who go there do too. I’m very lucky to have Second Story. It’s like my second home and my second family.” - 9th Grader

Take a tour!

We invite you to come see our facility and the good work our volunteers are doing to provide quality programs to our youth. Please contact us to schedule your visit!

Testimonies

"Second Story has helped me through a lot throughout my life. It's not just a regular teen center, it's a unique one. It has different events for different season- like Halloween we have a costume party! New Years we watch the ball drop together. The volunteers work their best to get Second Story to where it is." - Grade 9​

"Jeff and Dana- Thank you for always being there for me and making sure I'm okay. Thank you for bringing smiles, laughs, memories, and unforgettable moments that brought peace to my life. Thank you for giving me a purpose and for reminding me who I am, how far I've come, and how far I will go. Thank you for getting me to come out of my shell, open up, and find my voice." -Jamal

"Second Story is the best thing that has happened to Princeton in a long time."- Emily

When I was little, I didn't have a Father, because he left. Usually I'm very stressed, because I've had a lot of bad experiences in my life. At school I stay silent and hide in the corner. [I volunteer] because it helps me get a lot of things off my chest. Jeff has helped me through everything since I've been at Second Story- that man has helped hundreds of kids." -Dominic, Age 16